The granite from its mountains was used to build many of the region’s religious and historical monuments, such as the unpretentious Romanesque chapels and baroque churches.

History surrounds you when you visit the region’s castles - the castle at Guimarães was the birthplace of the nation’s founder and first king of Portugal, Dom Afonso Henriques. And at the countless manor houses and palaces emblazoned with coats of arms, visitors are received with an aristocratic display of hospitality.

However, this region of Portugal also owes much of its character to the great waterway that cuts it in half, the scenic River Douro, whose vine-filled valley is today classified as a world heritage site.

The river was given the name of ouro (gold) because it brings the water that the sun-drenched vines rely on to produce the world-famous Port wine.

But also because this was the place from which ships used to set sail in the great period of Portuguese discovery. Or perhaps the name is due to the carved and gilded woodwork of the city’s countless baroque churches.

The fact remains that this ancient city gave its name to both Port wine and to the nation of Portugal. Much of its heritage is based on shipping and trade, making it a bustling and passionate city. Porto is also classified as world heritage site. Perhaps these are the reasons why Porto finds its way into the hearts of its visitors.

To the south of the Cávado river mouth and part of the Litoral de Esposende Protected Landscape, Ofir Beach, surrounded by dunes and pine trees, covers one of the most beautiful stretches of the northern Portuguese coastline. One natural phenomena is the rocks emerging out of the sea at low tide and which form shapes known locally as the horses of Fão.